Iowa State Media Relations
Former Iowa State All-American Mike Stensrud, one of the greatest defenders in Iowa State football history, and catalyst on a pair of stingy Cyclone defenses who earned bowl bids in 1977 (Peach Bowl) and 1978 (Hall of Fame Bowl), died today. He was 68.
At 6-5, 270 pounds, Stensrud wreaked havoc on opponents running game and quarterbacks during his career from 1974-78. A two-time First Team All-Big Eight selection, Stensrud racked up 306 tackles in his career, an astounding figure for a defensive lineman.
It was no coincidence the Cyclones fortunes on the gridiron turned around with Stensrud in the lineup. In his final three seasons, Iowa State reached eight wins each year culminating with bowl appearances in his final two.
Stensrud followed his brother, Maynard, to Ames after an outstanding prep career at Lake Mills (Iowa) High School. He saw action as a true freshman in 1974 and then redshirted in 1975 after suffering an early-season injury.
ISU had gone through three-straight 4-7 seasons under head coach Earle Bruce before things changed in 1976. The Stensrud brothers, along with Tom Randall and Ron McFarland, formed one of the best defensive lines in school history as the Cyclones finished 8-3 in 1976 but were snubbed by the bowl scouts.
In 1977, Stensrud was a monster. He was credited with 101 tackles and topped the Big Eight in sacks with 15, as ISU led the Big Eight in scoring defense (14.0) and ranked second in rushing (161.2) and total defense (270.5).
The Cyclones were bowl-bound for the first time in five years by earning an invitation to the Peach Bowl.
Stensrud and the Cyclones again were one of the top defenses in the Big Eight in 1978 en route to their second-straight bowl berth. Stensrud, who earned All-America accolades, tallied 86 tackles and 18 TFL.
Although TFL weren't accredited until 1976, Stensrud's career 34.0 TFL still ranks fifth all-time in school and his nine career forced fumbles is tied for third in the Cyclone record book.
After graduation, Stensrud was invited to the Senior Bowl and played in the Hula Bowl before getting selected in the second round of the 1979 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. He enjoyed an outstanding 11-year NFL career (1979-89), compiling 29.5 sacks with five different teams.
Stensrud was a 2000 inductee of the Iowa State Athletics Hall of Fame. In ensuing years, the Stensrud Cyclone legacy remained strong. His nephew, Josh, played football at Iowa State and his son, Andy, was a four-year letterwinner (1997-2000) for the Cyclones and a starter on the offensive line for ISU's 2000 Insight.com Bowl champion squad.
Former Iowa State All-American Mike Stensrud, one of the greatest defenders in Iowa State football history, and catalyst on a pair of stingy Cyclone defenses who earned bowl bids in 1977 (Peach Bowl) and 1978 (Hall of Fame Bowl), died today. He was 68.
At 6-5, 270 pounds, Stensrud wreaked havoc on opponents running game and quarterbacks during his career from 1974-78. A two-time First Team All-Big Eight selection, Stensrud racked up 306 tackles in his career, an astounding figure for a defensive lineman.
It was no coincidence the Cyclones fortunes on the gridiron turned around with Stensrud in the lineup. In his final three seasons, Iowa State reached eight wins each year culminating with bowl appearances in his final two.
Stensrud followed his brother, Maynard, to Ames after an outstanding prep career at Lake Mills (Iowa) High School. He saw action as a true freshman in 1974 and then redshirted in 1975 after suffering an early-season injury.
ISU had gone through three-straight 4-7 seasons under head coach Earle Bruce before things changed in 1976. The Stensrud brothers, along with Tom Randall and Ron McFarland, formed one of the best defensive lines in school history as the Cyclones finished 8-3 in 1976 but were snubbed by the bowl scouts.
In 1977, Stensrud was a monster. He was credited with 101 tackles and topped the Big Eight in sacks with 15, as ISU led the Big Eight in scoring defense (14.0) and ranked second in rushing (161.2) and total defense (270.5).
The Cyclones were bowl-bound for the first time in five years by earning an invitation to the Peach Bowl.
Stensrud and the Cyclones again were one of the top defenses in the Big Eight in 1978 en route to their second-straight bowl berth. Stensrud, who earned All-America accolades, tallied 86 tackles and 18 TFL.
Although TFL weren't accredited until 1976, Stensrud's career 34.0 TFL still ranks fifth all-time in school and his nine career forced fumbles is tied for third in the Cyclone record book.
After graduation, Stensrud was invited to the Senior Bowl and played in the Hula Bowl before getting selected in the second round of the 1979 NFL Draft by the Houston Oilers. He enjoyed an outstanding 11-year NFL career (1979-89), compiling 29.5 sacks with five different teams.
Stensrud was a 2000 inductee of the Iowa State Athletics Hall of Fame. In ensuing years, the Stensrud Cyclone legacy remained strong. His nephew, Josh, played football at Iowa State and his son, Andy, was a four-year letterwinner (1997-2000) for the Cyclones and a starter on the offensive line for ISU's 2000 Insight.com Bowl champion squad.
